Un ballo in maschera

Choose date

Friday 23. 10.

19:00

Tuesday 27. 10.

19:00

Tickets available

Basic information

Venue

The National Theatre

Approximate running time

2 hours 30 minutes, 1 intermission 20 minutes

Language

In Italian, Czech, English subtitles

Premiere

October 5, 2017

Giuseppe Verdi often found inspiration for his operas in the works of renowned writers and dramatists, including William Shakespeare, Friedrich Schiller, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, fils, and Eugène Scribe, one of the most distinguished 19th-century playwrights and librettists. In tandem with Charles Duveyrier, Scribe penned the libretto for the 1855 work Les vêpres siciliennes, and in 1857 his text for Daniel Auber’s 1833 French opera Gustave III, ou Le bal masqué served as the basis for Antonio Somma’s libretto to Verdi’s new opera, which would enter history under the title Un ballo in maschera. The circumstances under which the opera came into being and was staged were affected by political events and subsequent censorship, as a result of which Verdi and Somma had to change the piece’s original title, Gustavo III, as well as the names of the characters, the setting and the time. Accordingly, the King of Sweden, an ardent theatre lover, became the English governor in Boston etc.

Creatives

About

The National Theatre Chorus and Orchestra

In this transformed version, the opera Un ballo in maschera received its premiere on 17 February 1859, at the Teatro Apollo in Rome. A Prague audience first saw the piece on 1 August 1866, in German translation, at the Estates Theatre, and on 30 June 1869, the opera was performed in Czech translation at the New Town Theatre by the Provisional Theatre company, whose production was taken over by the National Theatre and presented in June 1884. Our new production will be staged by the music director of the National Theatre Opera, Jaroslav Kyzlink, who has recently shown his flair for Verdi’s work in the productions of his operas Simon Boccanegra and Don Carlo, performed at the National Theatre and the State Opera, respectively. Dominik Beneš, who has directed the National Theatre productions of the operas The Nightingale and Iolanta, has invited Marek Cpin to design the sets and costumes. The getting together of such a splendid creative team promises a visually impressive experience.

because the car park under the National Theater is closed for reconstruction since April 14th 2020.

While visiting the State Opera, you can take the slip road on Wilsonova street from the left lane close to the State Opera building to the Parking Centrum above-ground garage. The parking fee is 40 CZK/h.

Unfortunately, there is no car park nearby the Estates Theatre. You can either use the National Theatre car park or a secure car park at the Kotva shopping mall (Revoluční 1/655, Praha 1) and Paladium (Na Poříčí 1079/3a, Praha 1).

What to wear?

By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.

Buffets at the National Theater

No waiting. For your benefit, please pre-order your food and beverages at the bar to minimize waiting in the queue!